New York Mets Fire Willie Randolph

In a shocking move in the wee hours of the morning, after a victory over the Angels, the New York Mets fired manager Willie Randolph.

The team also announced that Jerry Manuel, who managed the Chicago White Sox from 1998-2003, will take over on an interim basis.

Was this the right move?

Many feel as if it wasn't, and that's putting it lightly. The Mets were starting to win again, even if it was only a few games. In addition, the team fired Randolph right after the beginning of a West Coast road trip.

Finally, in what many are deeming a classless move, they announced the decision through a press release at 3:15 AM EST.

Leave it to the Mets to make such a terrible call.

The players liked Randolph, even if they were not playing up to par. One need not look any further than the shining example set forth by Billy Wagner, who, just a few weeks ago, blamed only the players of the team for not playing as expected.

During the middle of the season, a move like this is never a good thing. People near the top of the organization lost their jobs. Soon enough, the players are going to be wondering whether or not they are safe as well. Combine this with the fact that many are headcases on the team to begin with, and this is a perfect recipe for disaster.

The move has already backfired in a way. The Mets lost to the Angels before, and, in addition, Manuel took out Jose Reyes after an injury when he did not want to leave the game.

True, Manuel was only looking out for his star shortstop, but considering that Reyes threw his helmet off in disgust afterwards, it is safe to say that he did not agree with the call.

One game in, and one player is already upset, and a huge player at that. How much more time will it take until the rest of the team follows suit?

More importantly, at the end of the year, who is going to want to take over this circus? Right now, taking the Mets job is a career suicide, and any smart individual would not even interview for the position, let alone take it!

What can be done then? Right now, the skies are very cloudy over Flushing, Queens. Hopefully, in time, Keith Hernandez will come down from the broadcasting booth to run this team the way that it should be run, with a firm hand, and with a strict mindset.